It had been impossible to keep the fact of Raesinia’s capture from the Leatherbacks and refugees, but her absence hadn’t produced the blow to morale Marcus might have expected. The men and women who’d chosen to fight were still determined to do so, and they talked in low voices among themselves as he passed through them. Some of the younger boys and girls were boasting a bit, displays of bravado that were painfully familiar to Marcus from every unit of soldiers he’d ever accompanied to its first battle. Many of the older people had seen war, or at least fighting, before, and they were mostly quiet.

He found Andy with her handpicked team, all young, strong men and women. Several of the Borelgai refugees were among them, women who hadn’t been prepared to pick up arms but had been determined to do something. They’d tied their long skirts up above their knees to make running easier, exposing fish-belly-pale legs. Andy herself wore her Vordanai uniform, though she’d lent her musket to one of the other fighters.

“You’ve got the signal down?” Marcus said.

She nodded. “I’ve got it.”

“Stay back until you’re sure you heard it.” He looked over her team, who had recognized him and assembled behind their leader in something approximating ranks. “You’ll be awfully vulnerable out there.”

“We’ll be careful.” Andy’s eyes went to the balcony. “Did you talk to Sothe?”

“I think I got through to her,” Marcus said. “She’ll help.”

“That’s something.” Andy blew out a long breath. “I’m all for rescuing Raesinia as soon as possible, but if she’s alive, then a few hours probably aren’t going to make any difference. And if—”

“She’s alive,” Marcus said. “And we’ll get her.”

Andy nodded, though she still seemed skeptical. Marcus hadn’t had time to explain the truth to her, but she seemed willing to act on faith for the moment. The same went for her part in the plan, and for that matter everyone else’s; no one but Marcus and Sothe knew what they were really up against. Marcus had tried to warn them, without coming out and saying the opposition was demonic. I doubt that would help morale. Or that they would take me seriously.

Hopefully, none of it would be necessary. Sothe came down the staircase, long rifle slung across her back, and gave Marcus a wave. He took a deep breath and summoned his parade-ground voice.

“All right!” he said, the acoustics of the church bouncing his words off the walls. “Let’s go put out a fire.”